MICHAEL P. PEBSWORTH

Wasilla resident Michael Preston Pebsworth, 51, died at home of natural causes Feb. 6, 2004.

A funeral service was held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 2060 Lazy 8 St. in Palmer. Pastor Martin Emmrich officiated. Burial with military honors followed at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

Mr. Pebsworth was born Jan. 14, 1953, in Birmingham, Ala., and grew up in Oklahoma.

He moved to Alaska in June 1966, residing in Wasilla.

He graduated from Dimond High School in 1971 and received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Mr. Pebsworth served overseas in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1973.

Mr. Pebsworth was the owner and operator of Preston Homes Construction Co. He was a master builder of residential and commercial dwellings in the Matanuska Valley for over 20 years.

He was an ICC certified building inspector, plans examiner and mechanical and residential combination inspector. He was also an aircraft mechanic with an inspection authorization.

Mr. Pebsworth is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as a descendent of an original Indian tribe.

He was a gifted musician and singer/songwriter.

His family wrote, "Mike loved his grandchildren. They called him 'Papa,' and he was their gift. He loved to write music and play the guitar. His passion for building homes was unparalleled. He prided himself on quality and maintained a level of constant perfection. He met his wife at Dimond High School and was a devoted husband of 33 years. He was 'Daddy' and God broke the mold after him."

His sister Karen Denise Pebsworth of Hugo, Okla., preceded Mr. Pebsworth in death.

He is survived by his wife Linda Pebsworth of Wasilla; children Robert Pebsworth, Terra Stanley and Eric Pebsworth of Wasilla; daughter-in-law Cammy Pebsworth; son-in-law Dustin Stanley of Wasilla; grandchildren Michael Lanz, Dylan Hite, Kallyan Stanley and Taylor Pebsworth of Wasilla; parents Roy and Madeline Pebsworth of Hugo, Okla.; sisters Sharon McDonald of Denver, Colo., and Lisa Price of Aberdine, Wash.; and brother Steven Pebsworth of Camas, Wash.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.